Last month James R. Gable was laid to rest. You may have known him by sight as he was constantly riding around Covina on his bicycle.

Jim was born June 10, 1935 to Charlie and Abbie Gamble in Los Angeles. He was the youngest of eight children. Betty, Frank, Richard, Margaret, Larry, Gail and Dorothy have all predeceased him.

Jim was a healthy child and went to public school for a few years but after an accident involving a horse, he was taken to the county hospital where he endured brain surgery, according to his niece Joyce Rode who can’t remember the details.

After the accident he was provided with home schooling but many times he just didn’t want to go school so his mom sent the teacher, Mrs. Henry, away.

Since he was the baby of eight children she gave him “special treatment.” He would then use that time to chase and annoy other family members.

It was a large place and there were rabbits which the family sold, as well as chickens and ducks.

There were also horses and Jim loved them and rode until the accident. The one most remembered by Jim was “Babe” and the family had him a long time.

Jim lived with his mom after his father passed in 1951 in the family home for many years in Rosemead then in Baldwin Park.

After his mother died in 1969, Jim relocated to Covina where he lived for the rest of his life. Jim lived alone with family helping him when necessary.

Most of his care came from his sister Dorothy, who died last year, and his niece Joyce.

They shared the duties of taking him to appointments, cleaning his house, having him at their home and chasing around town when he was “looking for just the right something or other or taking something back.”

Dorothy’s family gave him a lot of love and care as did other family members. Jim could be gruff and sometimes annoying but Joyce thinks it was because he was frustrated.

He could be very demanding but had so many friends – proof of that the sweet part of his nature came through most often.

One of his neighbors had two small children who just loved him and Jim was included in their family gatherings.

During the past few weeks Joyce has heard so many wonderful stories from these friends it has been comforting knowing he had so many people who loved him.

Jim was often seen around town repairing a faucet or some other small task at some of the local business’s because he was a great handy man.

They in turn often gave him dinner and that had to be better than eating alone.

Although he was a small man he could eat a hearty meal and the family used to laugh at how much he could “put away.”

He had no teeth so this was a feat and sometimes it would take him a couple of hours to finish. “Doggie bags” were always welcome when he left someone’s home or a party.

He had a great sense of humor and was very funny. Sometimes he would show up on Joyce’s porch on Halloween wearing a long black wig and bug eyes or something else scary.

There was always a project in the works, usually spread around Jim’s living room. He fixed bike tires, made lamps and given away many poinsettias and other plants in thanks.

He would call Joyce and say he needed a card for someone sick or who had passed away. He was always thoughtful of others.

Throughout his life he had more bikes than anyone could count many of which were stolen because people thought he wouldn’t do anything about it.

His bikes all had hundreds of miles on them and he rode them every day until his health would no longer permit it.

He never missed a Rose Parade and would leave early the day before on his bike, go to Pasadena, sleep there and then make his way home afterwards.

He had a tent and a fishing pole that he would strap on his bike and head up into the nearby mountains to camp. Of course he always had his two pound guard dogs with him so nothing would bother him.

Jim’s dogs were his family too and were treated as such. He loved them more than people maybe and would get up and go out in the middle of the night if they needed it. Joyce thinks he didn’t have any fears or if he did they weren’t obvious.

Jimmy was so proud to be an American as was obvious by his tremendous display of flags everywhere. He flew a flag outside his home as well as inside the house, displayed several on his bike and also on his trailer.

He was the proud driver of a power scooter for a short time and, you guessed it, he had about six flags flying on it. The Fourth of July was a big day for him and for most years he attended the celebration at Covina Park.

He also never missed a Covina Christmas Parade.

He had other loves that were on display around his home. Those were John Wayne, cowboy music, elephants, portable radios and CD players and electric trains.

Pictures, clocks and other memorabilia of John Wayne were all over the house.

He had a miniature elephant collection plus a tree lamp and music boxes. Many of the electric trains he had collected since childhood were visible and he was always tinkering with and adding to the collection.

Jim was diversified in his hobbies but that was what kept him occupied. Often he would just stand on a corner and people-watch.

Jim was a night owl and was always watching the news. He kept up to date on what was going on around the country and the world.

He would have his own opinions on all of it and sometimes had a better idea than most of the politicians on what to do.

Jim was a Catholic and a big silver crucifix that always hung around his neck acknowledging that he believed in God as well. He also had many crosses hanging on his walls throughout the home.

He played many roles in life: James, Jim, uncle Jim, great-uncle Jim – friend Jim will be missed and never be forgotten by those fortunate enough to know him.

His funeral mass at St. Louise Catholic church was held on Monday, Aug. 15, with interment the following day at Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles, beside his parents and brother Frank.

The gathering after mass was at his niece’s home and many great stories were shared.

A neighbor for more than 10 years told how Jim had been at their wedding, their babies’ baptisms and many other celebrations with their family.

The children called him uncle and he would set up his trains and have them over to watch.

One year the family was having a Halloween party and Jim was told the girl wouldn’t be trick or treating because of it, so Jim went home, got in costume and took her out. Dad followed along.

Two young men who worked at the bike shop in town for about 10 years told Joyce about how Jim would come in to the shop with one of his pets.

Then someone would come in with children who were attracted to his pet. Jim would then start talking to the parents, telling them about the bikes and soon they would purchase. They said he was a good salesman with grins on their faces.

He brought lots of smiles into Covina. The Bozoreys at the hobby shop and Pat at The GM Depot became very good friends and helped him many times.

Another of the places he frequented was The Bargain Box and a lady who worked there called to say all the volunteers loved him. We are so grateful to all that saw him as Jim and did not avoid him because he was “different.”

This human interest story was provided by Joyce Rode, Jim’s niece. If you have any human interest stories, please contact me at the address below or call me at 626-337-3639.

FREE CONCERT

Carol Tavis’ next free concert at the Covina Public Library will be a reinstatement of the series, “Music Tells Stories,” concerts.

The concert at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22 is titled “The Music of Autumn” and will take place in the library’s community room.

The program will include back-to-school songs (such as the well-known alphabet song, “The Wheels on the Bus,” The Beach Boys’ “Be True to Your School” and popular and classical pieces celebrating the loveliness of autumn.

The library is at 234 N. Second Ave., Covina.

Both children and adults and encouraged to attend.

MILESTONES

Happy birthday to Rae Collins, Dorris Parker and Joanne Mitchell.

Send your comments, questions, milestone anniversaries and birthdays, or any suggestions to Talk About Town, The Highlander, 1210 N. Azusa Canyon Road, West Covina, CA 91790, or you may contact Patricia via email at scrivener@charter.net.